Penn football’s Kendren Smith and Jaden Key share a story of camaraderie

Choosing a freshman-year roommate can be one of the most daunting decisions an incoming college student has to make. Leaving the comfort of home and entering a new and unfamiliar environment, the prospect of living with a virtual stranger can be a gamble for most. 

But in the case of Jaden Key and Kendren Smith, two fifth-year seniors on Penn football with NFL dreams, their connection was almost instant. Hailing from Neptune, N.J., and Charlotte, N.C., respectively, they were paired together during their recruitment visits to Penn during their senior years of high school, when both were thirsty for glory on the gridiron.

While Smith was more reluctant about becoming a Quaker, they both agree that they've been inseparable ever since.

“We got assigned together randomly, and eventually I got him to commit," Key explained.

As they interacted and bounced off one another, a genuine friendship began to take shape. When asked about their most memorable moments over the past few years, the two defensive backs burst into laughter, reminiscing about years of jokes and other seemingly trivial yet meaningful moments. For Smith, a standout memory involved the waffle maker at King’s Court English College House becoming a part of their daily routine before afternoon practice. For Key, it was the diligence they put into studying the playbook before and after every game.

“Obviously, we both came in with the same mindset that we wanted to play [as freshmen]," Key said, and both put in countless hours to achieve that goal.

When asked how they believed they had evolved during their time as roommates, they chose to answer for each other. Key noted Smith's improvement in cooking and his ability to whip up a mean batch of arroz con frijoles paired with chicken thighs, embracing his Panamanian roots. 

Smith, on the other hand, highlighted Key’s transformation as a student. As they shared a laugh, Smith added, “It’s a lot of things … he’s come a long way.” Speaking of Key's academic growth, Smith acknowledged the dedication Key put into his off-field work, noting how it encouraged him to work harder in parallel.

“We both want to play in the NFL, we both want to be great,” Smith emphasized.

Their goal has always been to set the highest bar for themselves, and together they have fostered a positive feedback loop of dedication and hard work that has made them not only better football players but also better individuals. Smith, coming off a first-team All-Ivy season last year, and Key, with his own second-team All-Ivy honor, have a high ceiling for the upcoming season. Beyond their overarching NFL dreams, their focus is on taking the season game by game, play by play.

And so far this season, they have been answering the call, play after play. Smith is second on the team with 26 total tackles, and leads the Quakers with five pass breakups. Key isn't far behind, with 15 total tackles and an interception to his name. 

But what was off to an impressive last ride suffered a setback during a game against Georgetown on Oct. 7, when Key had to be stretchered off the field in the fourth quarter with an injury. While he did not play Saturday at Columbia, Penn Athletics confirmed to The Daily Pennsylvanian that Key is doing well in his recovery.

Prior to the Georgetown game, when asked about their goals for this season, they both answered without any hesitation, declaring that they want to go out with an Ivy League title to their names. As their final season continues, they remain committed to pushing each other and demanding the best from themselves every day. 

“It takes not only you but someone next to you to push you to be even better,” Smith said.

It became evident how the trials and tribulations of academic pressure, football stress, and unprecedented events like COVID-19 forged a bond that transformed these once bright-eyed high school seniors into refined leaders, both on and off the field. The story of Jaden Key and Kendren Smith is far from over.